The 2011/2012 The Schenley Heights Community Develeopment after school A-STEP year got off to a great start! Our doors (at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church) opened on September 12th,and enrollment continues to grow regularly! Upon arrival, our students are served a hot, nutritious meal before going to their grade level areas to begin homework. A team of staff /volunteers provides homework and academic assistance. Additionally, a variety of enrichment activities are incorporated into A-STEP as we meet our organizational mission of nurturing, supporting and developing our youth academically, morally, culturally, and recreationally.
Thus far, our participants have enjoyed YOGA classes (new this year!), field trips, martial arts, dance, poetry and more. Our middle school students are becoming young entrepreneurs through our Apprentice 2 Leadership Program, and our wholistic activities don’t stop there!
The Physical Activity and Enrichment for Youth (PAEY) initiative sponsored primarily by the Highmark Foundation Healthy High 5 Initiative involves participants in physical and nutritional health and wellness activities. In October PAEY welcomed guest presenters from the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy who led workshops with our participants. Additionally in October, our first through fifth grade classes went to Manchester Youth Development to celebrate Lights on After School with other organizations who are members of the Greater Pittsburgh Afterschool Consortium.
As we attempt to offer diverse experiences for children and families, a group of excited youngsters also went to Swissvale Bowling Lanes and the Heinz History Center on their days off from school; some of our families were wowed by the circus; and a few participants were impressed at a recent Penguins game thanks to McAuley Ministries and Tickets for Kids Foundation!
The list of A-STEP activities goes on and on as we strive to meet our mission and introduce our youth to as many opportunities as possible! Stay tuned for more exciting updates from A-STEP…!
For more information, please visit our website at http://www.shcdp.org